Sea Launch Adapter Response in Rough Sea Conditions Considering Strain Rate Effects

Abstract The launch vehicle sea launch system is a typical strong nonlinear complex coupled system. There is relative motion between the launch vehicle and the frame-type launcher in the offshore wind and wave environment. The multiple impact loads between the adapters and the guideways are nonlinear and discontinuous. The contact velocities between adapters and guideways are different. The strain rate of polyurethane foam should be considered in the adapter model. Based on the experimental data of polyurethane foam compression, a more accurate modified phenomenology macroscopic model is established. Dynamic models of the sea launch system with and without adapter strain rate effects are established respectively for comparative analysis. The results show that the dynamic effect of adapter strain rate effects on launch vehicle sea launch cannot be ignored.